Abstract: A surgical bur including a shaft with a bur head. A number of flutes are formed on the bur head. Each flute has a cutting edge. Chamfer surfaces form the front, distally directed faces of some of the burs. The flutes without chamfer surfaces having cutting edges emerge from the bur head at locations relatively close to the distal end tip of the head. The flutes over which the chamfer surfaces extend have cutting edges that start, extend proximally rearward, from locations that are, spaced proximal from the distal end tip.

Abstract: A surgical support apparatus is disclosed, including an elongate member, a first tissue penetrating member, and a second tissue penetrating member. The second tissue penetrating member includes two segments hingably attached to each other. A distal portion of the second segment of the second tissue penetrating member includes an engagement surface. The first tissue penetrating member has a distal portion including a receiving surface. The engagement surface radially approaches the receiving surface causing the secure engagement of the first and second tissue penetrating members. Surgical objects can be attached to the surgical support apparatus and supported within an internal body cavity. Also disclosed is a method of assembling the surgical support apparatus in an internal body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are presented by which certain surgical procedures normally done by powered surgical handpieces may be accomplished by powered arthroscopic handpieces, thus obviating the need to use powered surgical handpieces.

Abstract: A vascular anastomosis device of an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can include: a head portion that is provided on a distal side of an insertion portion and is capable of projecting a joining member and a cutting member from a distal surface thereof; an anvil configured to deform the joining member projecting from the head portion at a position where the anvil faces the distal surface of the head portion; and a connection member that can be installed so as to be able to project from and retract into the head portion. The anvil can be connected to the distal end of the connection member. The connection member can be configured to allow, along an axial direction, a portion thereof to be separated and ends of the remaining portion to be joined together.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter device that includes a disruptable guidewire channel. The guidewire channel is configured to provide necessary trackability of the catheter along the guidewire during introduction of the catheter to a treatment site. Once treatment is completed, the guidewire channel can then be disrupted so as to free the guidewire from the catheter in situ. The apparatus of the present invention provides distinct advantages over existing over-the-wire and rapid exchange catheter introduction methods, including the ability to achieve much faster treatment implement exchanges, the ability to rapidly deliver multiple treatment implements in series, and the ability to maintain multiple treatment implements simultaneously at a treatment site using a single guidewire.

Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a main body, a sheath, and a biasing member. The main body has a plurality of resilient arms that each extend from a proximal end to a distal tip. The resilient arms are movable between an open configuration in which the distal tips are radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the main body and from each other and a closed configuration in which the distal tips abut one another at or near the longitudinal axis. The sheath is longitudinally slideable on the main body to move the arms between the open and closed configurations. The biasing member causes the sheath to bias the arms toward the closed configuration.

Abstract: A retractor for manipulating an object, the retractor includes a retractor body with proximal and distal ends, a retraction device with a head connected at the distal end of the retractor body and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape, the memory shape of the needles including a portion with an arcuate shape housed, at least partially, within the head. The retractor further includes an actuation device connected to the proximal end of the retractor body and operatively connected to the needles, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moving the needles out of the head and withdrawing the needles into the head and a rotation joint allowing the distal end of the retractor body and the retraction device to rotate independent of the proximal end of the retractor body.

Abstract: A self expanding stent (10) formed from a resilient wire. The resilient wire comprises a zig zag form including an odd number of struts (12) such as seven struts and a bend (14) between each strut. There is first loop (18) of the resilient wire at the terminal end of a first strut and a second loop (18) of the resilient wire at the terminal end of a last strut. The stent as formed is substantially planar but in use is formed into a substantially cylindrical form (20) by being stitched onto a tubular body of a biocompatible graft material with at least the first strut and the last strut overlapping.

Abstract: A subcutaneous fasciotomy is performed to relieve pressure due to compartment syndrome. A small incision is made in a patient's skin. A surgical instrument is advanced through the entry location, and moved between the skin and the fascia of the patient to a remote location, with a cutter of the instrument in a stowed configuration. After reaching the remote location, the cutter is deployed to pierce an initial opening in the fascia at the remote location. The fascia is maintained adjacent a blade of the cutter via a notch shape that traps the fascia. The instrument is then withdrawn back toward the entry location with the blade incising the fascia to relieve pressure in the muscle compartment. The surgical instrument is then removed through the entry incision.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lancet having a flat shaft (1) which has an upper side (1c) and a lower side (1b), the shaft (1) forming at a front end (2) a cutter (1a) which ends in a point (2), the cutter (1a) having on the underside (1b) two cutting edges (4), which run together at the point (2), and the shaft (1) having at least one depression (3) on its underside (1b) to receive a sample. The invention provides for the shaft, on its upper side (1c), to merge into the cutter (1a) at two edges (5) which run together at a vertex (6), and for the upper side (1c) of the cutter (1a) between the vertex (6) and the front end (2) to be curved convexly, as seen in cross section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument comprising an elongated element, which is preferably configured for transoral placement in a stomach, and an end effector (100) arranged at one end of the elongated element, wherein the end effector (100) can be operated by means of a hydraulic operating mechanism (1), wherein the hydraulic operating mechanism (1) comprises a cylinder (20) having at least one, preferably two, three, four, or five, overflow channels (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) for a hydraulic fluid, which are connected to the cylinder interior by means of at least one bore (22, 22b, 22b?, 22c, 22c?, 22d, 22d?), a piston (30) arranged in the cylinder (20) and movable along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder (20) is provided, wherein the piston (30) divides the interior (23) of the cylinder (20) into a first cylinder chamber (23a) and a second cylinder chamber (23b) and is connected to the end effector (100) by means of a piston rod (31), and at least one connection (41) for introducing hydraulic fluid i

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for medical treating prostatic tissues are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes removing prostatic tissues adjacent the urethra and enlarging the lumen of the urethra, whereby the treatment conserves a natural wall of the urethra.

Abstract: A dermatome has a blade that generally defines a plane and a body generally defining a longitudinal axis. The body also that has at least one flat outer surface for engaging the tissue and an end portion that is configured to hold the blade so that the plane of the blade is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and non-parallel to the flat outer surface at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A trocar needle includes an elongate body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, a penetrating tip formed at the distal end portion of the body, and an attachment portion formed at the proximal end portion for attaching a tether thereto. A grip region can further be provided and can be formed for example, at the proximal end portion of the body to facilitate gripping by a surgical grasping device. Additionally or alternatively, a notch or otherwise reduced cross-sectional area can be provided. Such a feature can be formed, for example, at the distal end portion of the body, arranged proximal from a distal end thereof for enhancing haptic perception by a surgeon when utilizing the needle.

Abstract: Retrievable vena cava filters for the temporary or permanent prevention of Pulmonary embolism (PE) are disclosed. A filter in accordance with the present invention has a tube-within-tube structure with overlapping semi-spheres. The semi-spheres comprise a plurality of expandable legs. The first tube may have a plurality of slots allowing for deployment of a first or second sets of expandable legs on the second tube. The free end of each leg in the first set of expandable legs may be oriented in a direction the same as or opposite to the free end of each leg in the second set. The filter may also be formed from a single tube. In certain embodiments, the filter of the present invention can be retrieved from either end.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval pouch (pouch) is provided. The pouch including a closed bottom portion, an open upper portion and an elongated tube operably coupled to an interior wall of the pouch. The elongated tube has a plurality of openings positioned along a length thereof. A suture accessible at a proximal end of the pouch is positioned within the elongated tube and extends past a distal end thereof. The suture is movable within the elongated tube and relative to the pouch. The suture has either a needle or a loop at a distal end thereof for attaching to tissue and subsequently drawing the tissue into the pouch when the suture is pulled. One or more reinforced tabs are operably disposed on the pouch. The reinforced tab(s) is/are configured to be grasped by a user to provide a counter pull force as the suture is being pulled through the elongated tube.

Abstract: An abrading head for a high-speed rotation atherectomy device is disclosed. The head has its center of mass laterally displaced from the rotational axis of the drive shaft. As the drive shaft spins, centrifugal force forces the abrading head radially outward. At high speeds, and the abrasive portion of the head may subtend an abrading cylinder larger than at low speeds or at rest. The abrading head has two components, each having a different density. The connection portion may be an incomplete cylinder, which fastens onto the drive shaft, and may be a relatively low density metal, such as stainless steel. The eccentric portion may be a relatively high density metal, such as tungsten or tantalum, and is attached to the connection portion.

Abstract: A system to deliver or remove an inflation expandable stent in a body vessel. The system avoids causing damage or embolisms to a body vessel it is traversing by restraining the edges of the stent from scraping against the walls of the body vessel. The edges are restrained by balloon folds, compressive wedging, and angled reflective resistance. In addition the device can also inflate or deflate the balloon more efficiently.

Abstract: A suture anchor, and a surgical filament assembly using same, capable of being fixated in a hole formed in a bone of a patient. The suture anchor preferably includes an anchor body with a passage extending from a proximal end toward a distal end, and at least one bone engaging feature on the exterior of the anchor. A knot patency element disposed within the passage holds a removable sliding knot formed, using the surgical filament. A tightening limb of the sliding knot enables the user to tighten the sliding knot against an object extending through a capture loop to secure the object to the anchor.

Abstract: An epilation device is proposed that has at least an epilation element having a skin side intended for contacting the skin in an operation state of the epilation device, the epilation element having at least two adjoining clamping elements that are arranged on a base structure and that each have a clamping surface so that the clamping surfaces lie opposite to each other, a support in which the epilation element is mounted, and an actuation arrangement that during operation of the epilation device repeatedly actuates the epilation element between a first bending state in which the base structure has a first curvature and a second bending state in which the base structure has a second curvature different to the first curvature, wherein the clamping surfaces the clamping elements are separated by a gap at the skin side in the first bending stage and are in clamping contact in the second bending stage.